AFGHANISTAN, 9TH/10TH CENTURY

Details

A CARVED GREEN STEATITE PENBOX
Afghanistan, 9th/10th Century
Of rectangular form, originally with sliding top, the interior carved with a arched recess for the pens, a circular well for the ink above, the exterior carved with an upper band of stylised kufic inscription above a band of meandering leafy vine, chips and damage to extremities, slight encrustation
7in. (18cm.) long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The inscription reads: bismillah baraka , min , Allah li-sahibihi ... (In the name of God, Blessing from God to its owner Taim).
Taim: The name of a tribe; a servant. The name Tamullah is found in the Tarikh-e ya'qubi, written in the 9th century.

A black steatite small cup of very similar workmanship and with an almost identical inscription was sold int hese Rooms 12 October 1999, lot 328.

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